Function meets design at The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts! This is the only museum in the state that is dedicated to the decorative arts and has an incredible collection of both rotating and permanent exhibits. Whether you’re a fan of the decorative arts or you’re new to the genre, you’re sure to love visiting this fantastic museum.
Are you looking for more great museums to visit, just like The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts? Download our free Vacation Guide! We’ve listed our favorite attractions in Bethlehem, like Colonial Industrial Quarter or the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem in Bethlehem, PA! You’ll also find great historic sites, hiking spots, shops, and restaurants in the area. No matter what type of trip you’re hoping to have, we can help you plan it with our free Vacation Guide!
History of the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts Museum
If you’re unfamiliar with the term “decorative arts,” it simply means works that are both beautiful as well as functional. For example, an exquisitely carved chest of drawers would be considered decorative arts. One particularly passionate collector of the decorative arts was Annie Kemerer, after whom the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts is named. Annie Kemerer was born in 1865, just south of Bethlehem, and amassed a large collection of gorgeous pieces during her life. After her death in 1951, the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts was established, showing pieces that she generously donated, including her wedding china, priceless Bohemian glass, and incredible pieces of furniture.
Visiting the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts
The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts is open from Friday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours are held every hour, with the last tour beginning at 3:00 p.m. The museum is composed of three interconnected mid 19th-century homes. The pieces on display within the museum aren’t just limited to works from Annie Kemerer. Rather, you’ll get to see three centuries of style and design represented within the museum’s walls.
The museum grounds also feature a stunning garden that’s a work of art in itself. Make sure to tour the garden during your visit to the museum to see incredible stainless steel sculptures created by Skip Karlik, a Bethlehem artist.
Stay at Sayre Mansion
After you’ve visited the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, stay in our beautiful inn! Sayre Mansion was first built over 100 years ago by a wealthy engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. It has since been renovated and turned into a stunning hotel. We still strive to maintain the opulence and luxury for which it is known.
One of our most stunning rooms is The Conservatory. It offers a 180-degree, bird’s-eye view of our beautiful town. The room spans the full depth of the house and is more modern in design than the rest of the inn. It features a king-sized bed with matching end tables and a sitting area with a vintage loveseat. The private bathroom has a Jacuzzi bathtub and pedestal sink.
Check our availability and book today! We look forward to having you.